INDUSTRIAL action by West Midlands firefighters appeared to be at an end today after union officials accepted fresh proposals from management.

Fire Brigade Union leaders confirmed that action had been "postponed" after they held talks with management following their third walkout in a week.

The armed services were drafted in between 4am and 7am yesterday because of the strike over annual leave, travelling expenses and unsociable hours.

More strikes were planned for tomorrow and Saturday and had been pencilled in for the weeks leading up to Christmas.

But West Midlands FBU regional officer Chris Wood confirmed that the action had been put on hold.

He said: "The offer put forward by the authority has been recommended for acceptance by the brigade committee, and it will now be going out to all the members for a vote".

However, Mr Wood said the FBU "reserves the right" to set further strike dates "if the consultative ballot comes back and rejects the offer".

The FBU claims to have forced management to concede to its three main demands after it secured two further days annual leave, and a promise to pay travelling expenses and bonuses for working unsociable hours.